Online Bachelor of Science inAccounting

Business is a numbers game. Learn to Win.

Accounting is the language of business. That’s why a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s (UAB) Collat School of Business can help you gain the fluency you need to compete in today’s job market. Our 100% online accounting degree can help you build a solid foundation in conceptual accounting and business knowledge, giving you the ability to make a statement for your career.

Accounting Program Highlights

  • 100% online programs with a 24/7 technical help desk
  • Faculty of award-winning industry experts
  • Networking opportunities
  • Transfer credit policy
  • Scholarship available for qualified candidates
  • Preparation for CPA, CISA, CIA, CFE, and CMA exams

Why Choose a Bachelor's in Accounting?

Banks

Private Companies

Nonprofiits

Government

Get an Education that Works for You

Today's economic climate has seen an increased focus on accounting due to financial scandals and crises. With the implementation of stricter laws and regulations in the financial sector, as well as the need to prepare and examine financial records and provide financial consultation and tax preparation services to businesses around the world, the demand for accounting services is rising. The accounting field is projected to add an additional 166,700 jobs by 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which means plenty of opportunities in the years to come. A bachelor's in accounting is crucial for any accounting professional hoping to work in banks, private companies, nonprofit organizations, insurance companies, or government agencies. You can meet your professional goals with the online accounting degree from UAB, one of the first programs to earn separate accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) for both business and accounting programs. We can help you go even further. The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) recognized UAB’s online bachelor’s in accounting program as a leader in CMA exam preparation. The IMA endorsement means that our online accounting degree meets the rigorous educational standards necessary to prepare for the Certified Management Accountant exam. Our innovative curriculum, technology-driven instructional methods, and encouraging learning environment can help you move from accounting student to professional, all from the comfort of your home.
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Why Choose UAB’s Collat School of Business?

Develop the Skills that Count

Your accounting degree carries weight when it is from a recognized institution. We have garnered national and international respect for our rigorous academic standards and consistent record of growth and accomplishment. Our accolades include:

  • U.S. News & World Report ranked UAB among the top 100 "Best Online Bachelor's Programs" and one of the nation's "Best National Universities" in its 2017 annual guide to America's Best Colleges.
  • The Princeton Review named UAB among the "Top 10 Universities in the United States for Diversity" for four consecutive years.
  • The University of Alabama at Birmingham's Collat School of Business is accredited by AACSB and the SACS.
  • UAB's online bachelor's in accounting program is endorsed by the Institute of Management Accountants for successful CMA exam preparation.
Our renowned business school is focused on leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship. You can benefit from a worldwide alumni network and a rigorous curriculum designed to prepare you for a successful future in accounting. Our online accounting degree will expose you to the study of accounting principles, business communications and foundations, financial management, information systems, management processes, and quantitative analysis. Our location allows our faculty of industry experts to maintain a connection to their practice by actively participating in professional associations, including the Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Alabama Society of CPAs, and the Institute of Management Accountants, and integrating their real-world experiences into our relevant and robust curriculum.

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Industry Outlook and Career Opportunities

Crunch the Numbers

Accounting skills can be applied in nearly any industry. From office buildings to construction sites, a bachelor’s in accounting can lead to a wide variety of roles, all with different salaries. Depending on experience, education, and job title, in 2012 accounting professionals with a bachelor’s degree earned up to $109,740 a year. An online accounting degree from the Collat School of Business can help you prepare for your professional certification exams, including:
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
  • Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
  • Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
  • Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects employment in the accounting field to grow 13% through 2022, adding 166,700 jobs in that time frame.
Staff Accountant

Average Annual Salary $44,518From analyzing financial data and preparing financial reports to maintaining records of assets and liabilities, staff accountants are responsible for their company’s overall financial health.

Staff Auditor

Average Annual Salary $63,550Staff auditors primarily focus on an organization’s potential risk areas, such as mismanagement, fraud, and financial discrepancies to avoid legal and financial issues. They also identify ways to improve the processes for finding and eliminating waste and fraud within a company.

Financial Analyst

Average Annual Salary $76,950Ranked No. 16 among "Best Business Jobs" by U.S. News & World Report (2015), financial analysts help individuals and businesses make informed investments by assessing stock market behavior, economic and business trends, and bond performance.

Budget Analyst

Average Annual Salary $69,280Ranked No. 5 among "Highest Paying, Fastest Growing Jobs" by Forbes, budget analysts are tasked with helping public and private institutions organize their finances by preparing reports and monitoring institutional spending.

Cost Estimator

Average Annual Salary $58,860Time is money. So are the materials and labor required to manufacture a product, provide a service, or construct a building. Cost estimators analyze all of these factors to estimate time allocation and a budget for any project. With an astounding growth rate of 26% through 2022, this job is ranked No. 1 among "Best Construction Jobs" by U.S. News & World Report (2015).

Financial Manager

Average Annual Salary $109,740 Financial managers are charged with their organization's financial health. Financial reports, investment opportunities, and long-term financial goals are common aspects of any financial manager's work. With competitive salaries and steady job growth, this position ranked No. 18 among "Best Business Jobs" by U.S. News & World Report (2015).

Tax Reviewer

Average Annual Salary $50,440Tax reviewers ensure that tax credits and deductions claimed by taxpayers are lawful. To do this they review tax returns, conduct audits, and identify taxes owed. If a taxpayer owes additional taxes, tax reviewers adjust the total amount by assessing fees, interest, and penalties and then notify the taxpayer of the total amount owed.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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  • Curriculum

  • Career Resources

Earn Your Degree on Your Schedule

There is no margin for error in accounting, and that’s why the accounting field needs expert professionals. Develop strong accounting skills essential for any business with a relevant and rigorous curriculum from UAB’s Collat School of Business, a leader in business education. Navigate the field with a 100% online accounting degree that explores every aspect of accounting, including information technology, financial literacy, business communication, management, international business practices, and more.

Want to learn more?
Explore our online bachelor's in accounting degree course descriptions.

Accounting core (24 Credit Hours)
AC 300 Financial Accounting I - 3 credit hours
AC 304 Accounting Information Systems - 3 credit hours
AC 310 Financial Accounting II - 3 credit hours
AC 401 Cost Accounting - 3 credit hours
AC 402 Income Taxation I - 3 credit hours
AC 413 Internal Auditing - 3 credit hours
AC 430 Financial Accounting III - 3 credit hours
AC 440 International Accounting - 3 credit hours
Upper Level Core (18 credit hours)
MG 302 Management Processes and Behavior - 3 credit hours
IS 303 Information Systems - 3 credit hours
MK 303 Basic Marketing - 3 credit hours
FN 310 Fundamentals of Financial Management - 3 credit hours
BUS 350 Business Communications - 3 credit hours
MG 403 Operations Management - 3 credit hours
Capstone (6 credit hours)
AC 423 External Auditing - 3 credit hours
AC 495 Accounting Capstone - 3 credit hours

The help you need to get the career you want

We provide many tools to help jumpstart your successful career, starting with Career & Professional Development Services. This service provides resume, interviewing, and job search tips to aid you on your path to employment, as well as networking and professional experience opportunities.

Career & Professional Development Services also gives you access to DragonTrail Jobs, an online career management site for students, alumni, and employers nationwide. Career & Professional Development Services has the tools and tips to help you reach your employment goals.

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FAQs

What should I look for in an online program?
We recommend that students pursuing online undergraduate or graduate degrees consider programs with extensive experience delivering distance learning, professional accreditation (AACSB), a dedicated full-time faculty, a high level of student satisfaction, and a low student attrition rate. UAB’s online management degree offers you all of these advantages, providing the benefits of a traditional university education with the convenience and flexibility afforded by the use of advanced technology.
Why is accreditation important?
It's important to entrust your education to an academic institution recognized for professional excellence and tested for quality assurance. Since 1982, the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Business has maintained accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a seal of excellence afforded to only 176 universities worldwide for undergraduate and graduate business degree programs.
Do I earn the same degree that on-campus students earn?
Yes, the University of Alabama at Birmingham awards the same accredited accounting degrees regardless of the delivery method.
Does the diploma say "online"?
Your bachelor's in accounting diploma will not distinguish that you are a distance student in our online program. Students can be confident that UAB's standards of excellence are the same for on-campus and online accounting degree programs. Online students, if they wish, attend the same graduation ceremony as on-campus students.
How long will it take to earn my Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree?
Students can complete their bachelor’s in accounting in as few as 4 years. Completion of the entire accounting degree is contingent upon individual student general education course completion and transfer credit evaluation.
Can I transfer credit hours earned at another institution to UAB?
Yes, UAB accepts transfer credits from other institutions. For more information, please complete the form above to download a brochure or to speak with an advisor.
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